Gas attack syria

News / UK and world by Press Association April 8, 2018, 10:49 am FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppEmail Sign up to our Daily newsletter The UK has called for an urgent investigation into reports of a poison gas attack in Syria which has killed at least 40 people, according to activists, rescuers and medics. The Foreign Office said that if the reports are correct it would be further proof of Bashar Assad’s “brutality against innocent civilians” and the international community “must respond”. In a further sign of the tensions between Moscow and the West, the Foreign Office said the use of chemical weapons would be an indication that Assad’s international backers – including Russia – had shown a “callous disregard for international norms”. The alleged attack in the town of Douma occurred on Saturday night amid a resumed offensive by Syrian government forces after the collapse of a truce. … [Read more...] about UK demands investigation into reports of Syrian gas attack

BEIRUT — Syrian opposition activists and rescuers said Sunday that a poison gas attack on a rebel-held town near the capital has killed at least 40 people, allegations denied by the Syrian government. The alleged attack in the town of Douma occurred late Saturday amid a resumed offensive by Syrian government forces after the collapse of a truce with the Army of Islam rebel group. The reports could not be independently verified. First responders said they found families suffocated in their homes and shelters, with foam on their mouths. The opposition-linked Syrian Civil Defense were able to document 42 fatalities but were impeded from searching further by strong odors that gave their rescuers difficulties breathing, said Siraj Mahmoud, a spokesman for the group, which is known as the White Helmets. A joint statement by the Civil Defense and the Syrian American Medical Society, a relief organization, said more than 500 people, mostly women and children, were brought to medical … [Read more...] about Syrian rescuers, medics say gas attack near capital kills 40

BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian activists, rescuers and medics said Sunday that a poison gas attack on a rebel-held town near the capital has killed at least 40 people, allegations denied by the Syrian government. The alleged attack in the town of Douma occurred late Saturday amid a resumed offensive by Syrian government forces after the collapse of a truce.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said at least 80 people were killed in Douma on Saturday, including around 40 who died from suffocation. Opposition-linked first responders, known as the White Helmets, also reported the attack, saying entire families were found suffocated in their homes and shelters. It reported a death toll from suffocation of more than 40. The Syrian American Medical Society, a relief organization, said 41 people were killed and hundreds wounded.The reports could not be independently verified. Syrian government forces resumed their offensive on rebel-held Douma on Friday afternoon after a 10-day truce collapsed … [Read more...] about Activists, Medics: Gas Attack Near Syrian Capital Kills Forty

News / UK and world by Press Association April 8, 2018, 10:07 am FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppEmail Sign up to our Daily newsletter A poison gas attack on a rebel-held town near the Syrian capital has killed at least 40 people, according to Syrian opposition activists and rescuers. The alleged attack in the town of Douma occurred late on Saturday amid a resumed offensive by government forces after the collapse of a truce. The reports could not be independently verified, and the allegations were denied by the Syrian government. Opposition-linked first responders, known as the White Helmets, reported the attack, saying entire families were found suffocated in their homes and shelters. It reported a death toll from suffocation of more than 40, saying the victims showed signs of gas poisoning including pupil dilation and foaming at the mouth. In a statement, it reported a smell resembling chlorine, which would not explain the described symptoms, usually … [Read more...] about Dozens killed in ‘poison gas attack’ near Syrian capital

Updated 1:54 am, Sunday, April 8, 2018 Photo: AP Image 1of/1 CaptionClose Image 1 of 1 This photo released by the Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows smoke rising after Syrian government airstrikes hit in the town of Douma, in eastern Ghouta region east of Damascus, Syria, Saturday, April. 7, 2018. Syrian government forces pressed their offensive against the last rebel-held town in eastern Ghouta near the capital Damascus on Saturday under the cover of airstrikes as shelling of civilian areas on both sides claimed more lives, state media and opposition activists said. (Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP) less This photo released by the Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows smoke rising after Syrian government airstrikes hit in the town … [Read more...] about Activists, medics: Gas attack near Syrian capital kills 40